What We Do

Following previous models of “informal” international justice such as the Russell Tribunals on Vietnam (1966-1967), the tribunals on the dictatorships in Latin America (1973-1976) and the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (1979-present), The Court will provide a transparent and informed platform, staffed by international experts in justice to bring to light unheard cases of violations of the Rome Statute and/or of the Universal Declaration of People’s Rights and render judgement on the potential liability of leaders involved for their criminal behaviour.  

However, unlike these previous peoples’ tribunals, THE COURT will seek to integrate the global participation of citizens who wish to engage with the evidence and participate in rendering a judgment of public opinion on the liability of the state and leaders involved.  

Our Mission

THE COURT by the Citizens of the World serves the aim of a People's Tribunal for Universal Human Rights as defined by the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights. It will aim to hear cases which cannot be heard by state courts, due to the existing legal impediments of international law.  It aims to make leaders accountable for international crimes they have been committing in their regimes. THE COURT is established by the citizens of the world for the citizens of the world. Victims and witnesses will be able to give their testimonies publicly before THE COURT and a global audience-- either in person or in writing. Independent prosecutors will draft the indictments for the crimes committed and a panel of independent judges will deliver THE COURT’s findings

THE COURT’s goal is to change the way international justice is perceived, to motivate governments and official judiciary bodies to take more and much faster action, to educate the public, and to raise awareness.  

“The time has come for civilization to prosecute the crime of aggression - and that the International Criminal Court, the United Nations and the European Union follow this example. Whoever launches a war of aggression, needs to be punished. Violence must be prosecuted.”

— Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Centre for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Laureate 2022

Cases:

  • Russian Federation: Vladimir Putin & the Russian leadership

  • Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Kim Jong-un

  • People’s Republic of China: Xi Jinping & the Chinese leadership

  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Mohammed bin Salman

  • Syrian Arab Republic: Bashar al-Assad

  • Daesh/ISIS leadership in Iraq and Syria